

f-'^. 



PREFACE. 



During the past few years, American husbandmen 

 have been, without regard to cost, extensively engaged 

 in importing some of the finest specimens of neat stock 

 that man ever beheld ; and in consequence of these 

 laudable enterprises, a very marked improvement in 

 this description of live stock is continually occurring. 

 Having great interests at stake in the ownership of 

 more costly and valuable animals than have hitherto 

 been found in this country, and great losses continu- 

 ally occurring in consequence of premature deaths, 

 brought on by unnecessary diseases ; the common in- 

 quiry among farmers and dairymen is, — How shall we 

 protect our property against the ravages of disease ? 

 But a more important question, in my opinion, might be 

 asked ; viz.. How shall diseases be prevented ? K this 

 country could only boast of a class of men highly edu- 

 cated in all that pertains to the veterinary art, and, pro- 

 vided such persons practised a rational system of medi- 

 cation, and had the necessary faith in the powers of 

 nature to cure disease; then, these questions might 

 easily be solved. 



Unfortunately for the interest of stock owners, and 



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